ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
CENTRAL LABOUR DEPARTMENT OF CHENNAI REGION TOPS IN GRIEVANCE HANDLING DURING THE CORONA RELIEF
There are 20 Regions in India in the Labour Department of the Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment. Tamil Nadu and Puducherry forms the Chennai Region. Central Labour Department deals with grievances of workers employed in Organisations such as Banks, Insurance, Atomic Energy, Airports, Ports, Telecommunications, Mines, Cement industries, Central Public Sector Undertakings etc.,
The Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment have set up 20 virtual control Rooms during April 2020 in order to handle various grievances of the workers during the Corona infection. The workers were provided an opportunity to submit their grievance to these control Rooms by phone or whatsApp or SMS or email. Each Control Room was headed by a Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner .
The above 20 Control Rooms have actively received, processed, handled and redressed a total of about 16,000 grievances from April 2020. Chennai Region alone had handled 2700 grievances.
Further, with the support of the Govt. of Tamil Nadu, 635 tonnes of Relief kits each consisting of 15 Kgs. rice, 1 Kg Dal and 1 Kg. Edible Oil was distributed freely to 37,337 contract workers who were stranded in more than 50 work spots in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The value of this 635 tonnes of food materials distributed at the respective work spot was Rs.....No other Regions have provided such exemplary service to the contract workers during the lock down. This was distributed t such workers at the respective workspot by the officers under Sri.V.Muthu manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry.
The Chennai Region was adjudged as the best among all Regions in India in the above Central Labour Department by Sri. D.P.S Negi, Chief Labour Commissioner . New Delhi. Chennai Region thus bagged the First place. Kolkatta and Cochin Regions were adjudged second and third respectively.
In an official Function at New Delhi at on 11-11-2020 Sri. Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Hon'ble Minster of State, Labour & Employment  had felicitated Sri. V.Muthu manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner, Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, for such exemplary service to the workers during the pandemic.
Sri. Apurva Chandra, Secretary to Govt. of India, Sri.D.P.S Negi, Chief Labour Commissioner . Smt. Anu Radha Prasad, Additional Secretary to Govt. of India and Senior officers from the EPFO , ESI etc., were also present during the above Function.
This is stated in a press release issued by Shri V.Muthu manickam, Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner , Tamil Nadu & Puducherry, Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour & Employment, 5th Floor, Shastri Bhavan, Chennai-600 006.
Ministry of Coal
Steps to Increase Domestic Production of Ammonium Nitrate
Presently, Coal India Limited  has Regular Running Contracts with 12 domestic private explosive manufacturers for Bulk explosives; with 06 domestic private explosive manufacturers for Large Dia explosives and with 04 domestic private explosive manufacturers for Permitted explosives. CIL also has a parallel Long Term Running Contract with M/s Indian Oil Corporation Limited for supply of Bulk explosives. Eight private explosive firms are supplying SME Explosives to SCCL. Further, SCCL has two captive explosive manufacturing plants of total capacity of 50,000 tonnes.
There are 4 manufacturers of High Density Ammonium Nitrate  in the country and the domestic production of HDAN is not sufficient to meet the requirement for manufacturer of various kinds of explosives used for coal mining, non-coal mining and infrastructure projects. Therefore, explosive manufacturers use mix of domestic and imported AN for manufacturer of explosives. As per the information available in public domain, Russia has banned the export of Ammonium Nitrate . This has affected supply of explosives to the some extent. In order to ensure uninterrupted supply of explosives for smooth production of Coal, Government has taken steps to increase domestic production of Ammonium Nitrate in the country.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Education
Initiatives for dealing with diverse mental wellness needs of students
The guiding principles of the National Education Policy , 2020, inter-alia, include  recognizing, identifying and fostering the unique capabilities of each student, by sensitizing teachers as well as parents to promote each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres;  flexibility, so that each learner have the ability to choose their learning trajectories and programmes, and thereby choose their own paths in life according to their talents and interests; and  respect for diversity and respect for the local content in all curriculum, pedagogy and policy, always keeping in mind that education is a concurrent subject. NEP, 2020 provides for preparation of a holistic, 360-degree, multidimensional report  of all students that reflects in great detail the progress as well as the uniqueness of each learner in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. NEP, 2020 also proposes that teachers will be given more autonomy in choosing aspects of pedagogy, so that they may teach in the manner they find most effective for the students in their classrooms. Teachers will also focus on socio-emotional learning – a critical aspect of any student’s holistic development. Moreover, physical and mental health concerns have been addressed by the National Education Policy , 2020, which emphasizes on well-trained social workers, counsellors, and community involvement in the school system. As per the perspectives of the NEP 2020, the National Council of Educational Research and Training has initiated the development of four National Curriculum Frameworks, viz, in the area of School Education, Early Childhood Care and Education, Teacher Education and Adult Education. With a view to provide inputs to these curriculum frameworks, 25 National Focus Groups have been constituted for 25 Focus Areas which include ‘Health and well-being, yoga, sports and fitness’ and ‘Guidance and Counselling’ cover the social, emotional and mental health.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Education, Smt. Annpurna Devi in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
India-UK Joint Media Statement on Launch of FTA Negotiations
Joint Statement of Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Today the Republic of India and United Kingdom have formally launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement between our two countries.
This announcement has been made by Indian Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who is in New Delhi for Free Trade Agreement discussions.
A India-UK Free Trade Agreement would be a substantial opportunity for both of our economies and a significant moment in the India-UK bilateral relationship.
The India-UK bilateral trading relationship is already significant, and both sides have agreed to double that bilateral trade by 2030, as part of Roadmap 2030 announced by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Boris Johnson in May 2021. India and the UK will seek to agree a mutually beneficial agreement supporting jobs, businesses and communities in both countries.
Trade negotiations will be a priority for both countries, as we build upon the Enhanced Trade Partnership launched by our Prime Ministers in May 2021.
During negotiations, and on the path to a comprehensive agreement, both Governments will consider the option of an Interim Agreement that generates early benefits for both countries. In parallel to trade negotiations, the India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee will continue to work in improving the India-UK trading relationship and addressing market access barriers outside of a trade agreement.
Both parties have agreed that the first round of negotiations will begin on 17 January, and future rounds of negotiations will take place approximately every five weeks. The Indian negotiating team will be led by Ms. Nidhi Mani Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce and the UK negotiating team will be led by Harjinder Kang, Director for India Negotiations at the Department for International Trade.
The ambition of both countries is to negotiate a broad agreement that will deliver for businesses and consumers.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Farmer Producer Organisations 
The Government of India has approved and launched the Central Sector Scheme of “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations” to form and promote 10,000 new FPOs till 2027-28 with a total budgetary outlay of Rs.6865 Cr.
Under the scheme, the formation and promotion of FPO is based on Produce Cluster Area approach and specialized commodity based approach. While adopting cluster based approach, formation of FPOs will be focussed on “One District One Product” for development of product specialization.
Initially one FPO is allocated per block. So far, a total of 4465 new FPOs produce clusters have been allocated to Implementing Agencies for formation of FPOs, of which a total of 632 no. of FPOs have been registered.
As per the Evaluation Report of PricewaterhouseCoopers  on FPO component titled “Impact Study 7- Enhanced realization of agriculture produce marketed through PCs/FCSCs under Maharashtra Agricultural Competitiveness Project ” brings out the following major points :  sale through Farmer Producers Companies  has resulted in increased price realization by members by 22%,  Incidence of cost of marketing is 31% lower than other channels  28 percent of members have purchased inputs from PCs and it has resulted into net savings of Rs.1384 per acre.
As informed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, a total of 852 FPOs have been formed till 2020 in Andhra Pradesh.
Under the Central Sector Scheme for formation and promotion of FPOs, the Farmer Producer Organizations, provision has been made for financial assistance upto Rs 18.00 lakh per FPO for a period of 03 years for meeting the FPO management cost. Under the new FPO scheme, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare makes advance release to the Implementing Agencies for formation and promotion of FPOs. So far, Rs.249.08 Cr. has been released to all IAs.
As informed by Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium , Equity Grant of Rs.31.22 lakh was extended to 4 FPCs in Andhra Pradesh during 2020-21.
Detail of Producer Companies for the year 2020, Statewise
|
|
State
|
|
Number of Producer Companies
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
147
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
15
|
|
Assam
|
|
87
|
|
Bihar
|
|
221
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
1
|
|
Chattisgarh
|
|
32
|
|
Delhi
|
|
7
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
108
|
|
Haryana
|
|
257
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
7
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
10
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
70
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
195
|
|
Kerala
|
|
53
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
237
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
1950
|
|
Manipur
|
|
26
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
1
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
4
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
6
|
|
Orissa
|
|
177
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
1
|
|
Punjab
|
|
13
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
114
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
241
|
|
Telangana
|
|
119
|
|
Tripura
|
|
8
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
654
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
|
14
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
184
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
4959
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Cabinet approves increase in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief
The Cabinet Committee chaired by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has approved increase the Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from 01.07.2021 to 28% representing an increase of 11% over the existing rate of 17% of the Basic Pay/Pension.
In view of the unprecedented situation which arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic, three additional instalments of Dearness Allowance  to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief  to pensioners, which were due from 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01.2021, had been frozen.
Now, the Government has decided to increase the Dearness Allowance to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from 01.07.2021 to 28% representing an increase of 11% over the existing rate of 17% of the Basic Pay/Pension. The increase reflects the additional instalments arising on 01.01.2020, 01.07.2020 and 01.01.2021. The rate of Dearness Allowance/Dearness Relief for the period 01.01.2020 to 30.06.2021 shall remain at 17%
Ministry of Finance
The Revenue Secretary, Government of India, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia busts seven misconceptions about newly implemented law relating to Goods and Services Tax .
The Revenue Secretary, Government of India, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia through a series of tweets from his twitter handle @adhia03 has busted today certain common misconceptions/ myths about GST.
These myths relating to GST and Reality of each one is given below.
Myth 1: Do I need to generate all invoices on computer/ internet only.
Reality 1: Invoices can be generated manually also.
Myth 2: I need internet all the time to do business under GST.
Reality 2: Internet would be needed only while filing monthly return of GST.
Myth 3: I have provisional ID but waiting for final ID to do business.
Reality 3: Provisional ID will be your final GSTIN number. So start business.
Myth 4: My item of trade was earlier exempt so I will need new registration before starting business now.
Reality 4: You can continue doing business and get registered within 30 days.
Myth 5: There are 3 returns per month to be filed.
Reality 5: There is only 1 return with 3 parts, out of which first part is to be filed by dealer
and two other parts would be auto populated by computer.
Myth 6: Even small dealers will have to file invoice wise details in the return.
Reality 6: Those in retail business  need to file only summary of total sales.
Myth 7: New GST rate is higher compared to earlier VAT.
Reality 7: It appears higher because excise duty and other taxes which were invisible earlier are now subsumed in GST and so visible now.
Ministry of Mines
ODISHA GETS Rs.23120 CRORE UNDER DISTRICT MINERAL FOUNDATION TILL 30TH JUNE THIS YEAR
The cumulative fund collection under District Mineral Foundation  in the State of Odisha till 30th June 2023 is Rs. 23,120 Cr. out of which Rs. 17,755.20 Cr. is received from major minerals other than Coal and Lignite, Rs. 5237.58 Cr. is received from Coal/Lignite, and Rs. 127.21 Cr. is received from minor minerals.
As per the Odisha State DMF rules, at least 60% of the funds are to be spent on high priority activities and up to 40% of the fund are to be spent on other priority activities. Details of funds so far utilized in Odisha specially Mayurbhanj under PMKKKY is enclosed as Annexure.
As per information received by the ministry, the State Government of Odisha has advised the DMFs to substantially enhance the fund allocation by creating a shelf of projects and expedite the utilization of DMF fund in the ongoing projects. Presently, the cumulative allocation under DMF is 97% of the cumulative collection of the State as listed below –
|
|
DMF Collection in Odisha Rs. Cr.
|
|
Fund allocation in Rs. Cr.
|
|
Expenditure in Rs. Cr.
|
|
% Allocation
|
|
% Spent
|
|
23120.00
|
|
22480.09
|
|
13478.00
|
|
97%
|
|
58%
Annexure
Details of funds so far utilized in Odisha specially Mayurbhanj under PMKKKY :
|
|
S. No.
|
|
Sector wise work
|
|
Odisha
|
|
Mayurbhanj
|
|
Amount Spent  till June 2023
|
|
Amount Spent  till June 2023
|
|
|
|
A. High Priority Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Drinking Water Supply
|
|
3165.41
|
|
4.85
|
|
2
|
|
Education
|
|
2751.65
|
|
39.30
|
|
3
|
|
Environment Preservation and Pollution Control
|
|
152.75
|
|
0.00
|
|
4
|
|
Health Care
|
|
1586.85
|
|
6.68
|
|
5
|
|
Sanitation
|
|
141.19
|
|
1.86
|
|
6
|
|
Skill Development
|
|
205.63
|
|
0.35
|
|
7
|
|
Welfare of Women, Children Aged & Disabled people
|
|
487.06
|
|
0.79
|
|
8
|
|
Housing
|
|
12.76
|
|
0.06
|
|
9
|
|
Livelihood Programmes
|
|
546.25
|
|
6.44
|
|
10
|
|
Road Connectivity
|
|
1036.22
|
|
0.00
|
|
|
|
A. Sub-Total
|
|
10085.77
|
|
60.33
|
|
|
|
B. Other Priority Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Physical Infrastructure
|
|
2070.96
|
|
2.75
|
|
2
|
|
Irrigation
|
|
819.91
|
|
0.05
|
|
3
|
|
Energy & Watershed
|
|
200.84
|
|
17.16
|
|
4
|
|
Afforestation
|
|
76.64
|
|
0.00
|
|
5
|
|
Others
|
|
97.57
|
|
0.35
|
|
|
|
B. Sub-Total
|
|
3265.92
|
|
20.31
|
|
|
|
C. Administration
|
|
126.31
|
|
0.58
|
|
|
|
D= TOTAL
|
|
13478.00
|
|
81.22
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Textiles
72 handloom products and 06 product logos registered under GI Act to promote Traditional Handloom
Ministry of Textiles, Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms is implementing following schemes for development of handlooms and welfare of handloom weavers across the country: -
1. National Handloom Development Programme 
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme 
Under the above schemes, financial assistance is provided to the eligible handloom agencies/weavers for raw materials, Common infrastructure development, marketing of handloom products in domestic/overseas markets, loans at concessional rates, etc.
The schemes aim at increasing productivity by providing improved looms & accessories to the handloom weavers at 90% subsidized rates, skill upgradation through training programmes, design innovation & product diversification by engaging designers, production of varieties of handloom products, including traditional & contemporary for domestic as well as overseas markets. This Ministry promotes export of handloom products through organisation/participation in international fairs/exhibitions, Buyer-Seller Meet, Reverse Buyer-Seller Meet etc.
Traditional handloom products are also promoted by registering the products under Geographical Indication  Act, 1999. So far, 72 handloom products and 06 product logos are registered under GI Act. Banaras Brocade and Saree and Champa Silk Saree and fabrics  have been registered under the GI Act to protect them from imitation or their unauthorized use by others.
Further, the ‘India Handloom’ Brand  was launched for branding and promotion of high quality, niche handloom products with zero defects and zero effect on environment. 1714 registrations have been issued as on 31.10.2021. In order to promote e-marketing of handloom products including IHB products, 23 e-commerce entities have been engaged.
As per the 4th All India Handloom Census 2019-20, there are 35.22 lakh handloom workers across the country. The benefits of the above schemes are available for all the eligible handloom agencies/organisations/handloom workers etc. of the country.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Cabinet approves Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019
13 Central Labour Laws brought in ambit of New Code
In the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’ and ‘Sabka Vishwas’, the NDA Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been continuously working for the benefit of people from various walks of life. With this objective, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved for introduction of the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Bill, 2019 in the Parliament. This proposal would enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario. The decision will enhance the coverage of the safety, health and working conditions provisions manifold as compared to the present scenario.
The New Code has been drafted after amalgamation, simplification and rationalisation of the relevant provisions of the 13 Central Labour Acts:
- The Factories Act, 1948;
- The Mines Act, 1952; The Dock Workers  Act, 1986;
- The Building and Other Construction Workers  Act, 1996;
- The Plantations Labour Act, 1951;
- The Contract Labour  Act, 1970;
- The Inter-State Migrant workmen  Act, 1979;
- The Working Journalist and other Newspaper Employees  Act, 1955;
- The Working Journalist  Act, 1958;
- The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961;
- Sales Promotion Employees  Act, 1976;
- The Beedi and Cigar Workers  Act, 1966; and
- The Cine Workers and Cinema Theatre Workers Act, 1981. After the enactment of the Code, all these Acts being subsumed in the Code will be repealed.
Benefits
- Safety, Health, welfare and improved Working Conditions are pre-requisite for well-being of the worker and also for economic growth of the country as healthy workforce of the country would be more productive and occurrence of less accidents and unforeseen incidents would be economically beneficial to the employers also. With the ultimate aim of extending the safety and healthy working conditions to all workforce of the country, the Code enhances the ambit of provisions of safety, health, welfare and working conditions from existing about 9 major sectors to all establishments having 10 or more employees.
Prime Minister's Office
PM greets people on Mahavir Jayanti
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.
“सभी देशवासियों को महावीर जयंती की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। सत्य, अहिंसा, त्याग और तपस्या पर आधारित उनका जीवन हर किसी के लिए सदैव प्रेरणास्रोत बना रहेगा।”, the Prime Minister said.
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NIPCCD organizes an Online training programme on “Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace” under Mission Shakti at Regional Centre, Guwahati
National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development  organized an Online Training on ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace  Act, 2013’ on 17th August, 2023 at Regional Centre, Guwahati. 38 participants attended the training programme.
The Programme focused on following themes to create conducive workplace:
- Gender Sensitisation
- Prevention of Discrimination in the workplace
- Become Familiar with all Applicable Antidiscrimination laws
- Implementation of comprehensive anti discrimination policy
- Conduct Regular, interactive training
- Promote diversity and inclusion
Prime Minister's Office
English translation of Address by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the I2U2 Summit
Your Excellency, Prime Minister Lapid,
Your Highness, Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan,
Your Excellency, President Biden,
First of all, many congratulations and best wishes to Prime Minister Lapid on assuming the office as the Prime Minister.
I would also like to thank him for hosting today's summit.
This is a meeting of strategic partners in the true sense.
We are all good friends too, and we all have common perspective and common interests as well.
Excellencies, Your Highness,
" I2U2" has set a positive agenda right from today's first summit.
We have identified Joint Projects in many areas, and have also prepared a roadmap to move forward in them.
Under the " I2U2" framework, we have agreed to increase joint investment in six key areas of water, energy, transport, space, health and food security.
It is clear that the vision and agenda of "I2U2" is progressive and practical.
By mobilizing the mutual strengths of our countries - Capital, Expertise and Markets - we can accelerate our agenda, and contribute significantly to the global economy.
Our cooperative framework is also a good model for practical cooperation in the face of increasing global uncertainties.
I am confident that with " I2U2", we will make significant contributions to energy security, food security and economic growth on a global scale.
Thank you.
DISCLAIMER: This is the approximate translation of Prime Minister’s remarks. Original remarks were delivered in Hindi.